Ms. Brainard's String & Orchestra Classes
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WHY ORCHESTRA?
FIVE TIMES BEATS THE GRIND! Play each section through five times without any mistakes. If you can't play it five times perfectly, go back and start at time number one and try again...and again....
PENCIL POWER! A two-cent pencil can save you hundreds of hours of frustration. Isn't there one in your orchestra folder? Why not?!?
CHUNK IT! Break each section down into 1 or 2 note pieces. Once you play these two notes right, add 1 more, and then 1 more...and 1 more.....
SLO' MO' Play each section as slow as you can. Try for accuracy in getting every note exactly right. Speed it up once you're awesome!
TICK TOCK! Use a metronome! Or use a free metronome app. Start as slow as you need to get every note right. Then speed up a few clicks....get it right...then speed it up one or two more clicks....and then go faster...'til you are playing faster than you need to!
THE VOICE! AUDITION! Maybe you're not the next Adele or Justin Bieber, but singing the passage out loud as if no one is listening will make you better faster. Try to sing the same pitches as your instrument.
FORGETTA 'BOUT IT! Having trouble? De-stress by going back to something you can play really well (Hot Cross Buns, anyone?) and once you feel good again, hit the challenging sections.
SEE IT! THINK IT! DO IT! Practice without your instrument. Put your instrument in its case. Try tapping the rhythm on your lap (or coffee table at home). Bow an air instrument while fingering along.
SIMPLE THOUGHTS REALLY ARE SIMPLE! Break everything down into its smallest part - separate left hand and right hand skills. Play the rhythm on an open string. Play it pizzicato. Success comes quickly this way!
RECORD YOURSELF! Get a computer, iPhone, iPad, or your other favorite recording device. Listening to yourself on a recording is a great way to hear what's really coming out of your instrument!
PLAY IN FRONT OF A MIRROR! Watch your bow - is it traveling in the lane you want it to? If your bow is crooked, straighten up already! Is your wrist bending? It should! Is your shoulder moving forward or back? It shouldn't!